Nia was a minor recurring character in the third season. She was portrayed by actress Brenda Strong and debuted in Ye Who Enter Here. Nia was the Queen of Azgeda who attempted to overthrow Lexa, but was killed by her hands.

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In Ye Who Enter Here, Nia is surrounded by her people when Ice Nation warrior Echo approaches with updates on her mission. She informs Queen Nia that the explosion on Mount Weather was a success thanks to the information provided by the last Mountain Man. Queen Nia vows to rescue her son from Polis and to kill Lexa.

In Watch the Thrones, Nia has been arrested and is brought in before Lexa and the 13 clan Ambassadors to answer for the orchestrated attack on Skaikru at Mount Weather. Titus informs Nia that she will be put to death for her actions at Mount Weather and whether she had anything to say in her defense. She tells him that she doesn't need one, and declares a vote of no confidence in Lexa. The various Ambassadors of the 12 clans stand up and support Nia. However, she is informed by Clarke that her petition will fail because she does not have the unanimous support of all the clans. Nia dismisses her objection, until Titus informs her that Skaikru took the brand to become the 13th clan. Lexa tells Nia that she knows what she wants and to issue the challenge. Nia readily does so and names her son Prince Roan to fight for her.

In the courtyard of Polis, Nia walks with Roan and gives him advice on how to defeat Lexa. She tells him that if he kills Lexa his banishment will be lifted, and he will become a legend amongst his people.

Later, Nia is in her chambers eating while her bodyguard Ontari stands watch. Clarke enters with a proposition to vote with her and the other Ambassadors, and Nia would guarantee the protection of Skaikru from the Azgeda. Nia agrees to the deal, and Clarke uses a knife to cut her palm to signify the blood oath. Clarke wipes her blood off on her sleeve and offers the knife to Nia. Nia takes the knife and is about to cut her palm when suddenly her bodyguard attacks Clarke and smells her sleeve. Ontari tells Nia that Clarke had poison on her sleeve. Nia tells Clarke that they could've been allies, but for this treachery, they are now enemies. Nia cuts Ontari's palm and spills her black blood on Clarke's face as a message to Lexa.

Nia attends the death match between Lexa and Roan with Ontari by her side. Lexa defeats Roan and instead of killing him she throws her spear into Nia's chest, instantly killing her.

In Hakeldama, her dead body is seen being moved on a horse carriage by Lexa and Clarke.

Nia has ruled her people for many years while "holding onto power through ruthlessness and savvy." She does what she must to maintain her power, even when it puts her at odds with those closest to her; she banished her own son.

Roan is the prince of the Ice Nation and Nia's son. Nia does not act very motherly towards Roan which is evidenced by when she banished him to get her clan into the coalition and when she volunteered him to dual Lexa. Roan does not seem particularly upset by his mother's death, due to his hateful relationship with her.

Lexa and Nia have a very hostile relationship. At some point before the Grounders formed the Coalition, the Ice Nation (Nia's Clan) and the Trikru (Lexa's Clan) were at war with each other. During the war, Nia captured Lexa's lover tortured her for information on Lexa, killed her, and cut off her head. Later Lexa made banishing Nia's son and heir a condition of letting Ice Nation join the coalition against Mount Weather. Nia resented her clan forced into the Coalition under Lexa and its circumstances, once Mount Weather fell she had a plan in place to challenge Lexa rule.

Nia: "You're right. Everything I do is for Azgeda. But, what's good for Azgeda, is good for you. (offers him her sword) If you won't fight for your mother or your Queen, fight for your clan. I want her head."